Chapter 61

Mindy

The agents stood down as I crossed the marble tiles. I searched the balcony for any telling movements alerting me to hit the deck or take cover. Assured it was safe, I motioned for the rest of my Rat Pack. They trudged behind as we made our way through the arched doorway at the end of the gallery. We arrived at the conference room where the doors stood wide. Mom and Harry fidgeted on the hard chairs to the left of the ISMAT council members’ panel. I noticed their arms were behind their back and agents stood close behind their chairs. Dammit! I knew we couldn’t trust the chief and now we were sitting ducks. I had to sway him with reason.

“Agent Nichols, this hearing is to show that, while sound of mind and body, you went rogue on February 5, 1975. You’re accused of high treason and harboring and protecting dangerous ORBs. How do you plead?” The chief’s official message sent a titter through the room. My mouth stood agape and I shot a glance at Mom and Harry. They gazed back, their faces taut with worry. The chief called for my plea again and cracked his gavel.

“Not guilty, and for the record, you are out of line, Chief! I saved your sorry ass when the princess threatened to sear the fat marshmallow you are!” I lost it as I looked at his smug, rotund form, sitting behind the raised panel looking down at me and the Ortharians. “And this is how you treat a former Chief of ISMAT and a teacher in the most elite academy?” I pointed at Mom and Harry glowering at the council. “You’ve taken this too far. I know it’s an election year and you want to be the guy who caught a traitor, but traitor I am not! The information I gathered while ‘protecting’ these ORBs may save our worlds.” I shouted my words over the pounding gavel he used in a desperate attempt to quiet me.

Mom and Harry joined in and there was confusion over who to heed. The chief was having none of it. He blustered for agents to take me into custody, and I saw their hesitation. Harry continued expounding about the energy exchanges between worlds and the potential meltdown of both if we didn’t correct the problem soon. Chief bellowed, but I stood my ground, joining Harry and his litigation of injustice. We were getting nowhere this way, but at least the agents weren’t cuffing me to a chair or hauling me off to a cell.

“My husband and my daughter are gone. I am not a traitor. These people of Ortharos are normal beings. We should not be eliminating them, but embracing their knowledge and trying to correct the power surges we send and receive. I think we can solve the Blinks!” I cried out as an agent apprehended me and wrenched my hands into cuffs behind my back. “Do the right thing here, Chief. Put aside your pride. This is your opportunity to save the world,” I pleaded.

“This council meeting is adjourned and the hearing of ISMAT versus Agent Nichols moved until further review.” His gavel cracked on the wooden panel before him as council members stood.

My anger flared, and I glowed with a furious, blinding light. The agent released my cuffs and backed away. I broke free of the flimsy chains. My strength ignited with anger and, shaking my finger, I sent an illuminating bolt of light at the chief’s chest. I stared in wonder. The light did not burn, but seemed to paralyze him.

“Why do you get to have all the fun? I thought you said no powers?” ’Punzel’s voice chimed in like a whiny child. “Let me help. This meeting could be over and done within a hair of three cini-moons,” she begged.

“Not now, ’Punzel!” I threw over my shoulder as I heard the single pump of a shotgun. I splayed my hands out and around the room. Beams of light fell on everyone transfixing and freezing all of ISMAT, including Mom and Harry. I had been thinking it would be great if everyone just kept their cool and stayed right where they were. Note to self, be careful what you think.

“’Punzel, free Mom and Harry. Reggie and Grrlec, help ’Punzel get them out of this room.” I watched as they dragged Mom and Harry by their chairs into the hall. When the door shut behind them, I concentrated on moving the room’s contents to the tunnel system below ISMAT. Suddenly the room was empty. It had worked! I threw the door open and urged my gang of loyals to follow me. We couldn’t go through the agent-filled gallery. We must head to the roof. The buildings on this block connected, so hopefully we could jump rooftops to a fire escape then down. We had to get out of here before the council alerted others. I entered the nearest stairwell. Motioning to my tribe to follow, we climbed toward the roof. Though dazed at first, Mom and Harry eventually sped up.